Packaging convertible to a cone-shaped container with removable lamina

ABSTRACT

Packaging which has at least one lamina removable from the packaging and wherein said lamina is also convertible to a cone having retention means that ensure the maintenance of the adopted shape. The lamina is a deformable lamina, which may be of any material, but preferably plastics and the like, and furthermore, has a means of retention for ensuring the maintenance of the adopted shape as a cone. The means of retention may be a flap and a tab which fits into a grove or a slit for that purpose. The cone obtained from the removable lamina of the container allows either products from the container/packaging itself, or from another place to be held. This facilitates their consumption in a simple manner, because it allows one hand to hold the cone while the other hand takes the food contained therein.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention, as indicated by the title of the invention, is a packaging convertible to a cone-shaped container with a lamina that can be removed, wherein this lamina can be converted into a cone or cornet shape.

The present invention is characterized by the synergistic effect achieved by the combination of structural and design features of each and every one of the components forming part of the container and particularly of the removable lamina.

Therefore, the present invention lies in the field of containers and packaging, particularly those employed in the food sector.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

On the one hand, the current state of the art in food containers is generally that of plastic, transparent materials where access is by means of the removal of a film or a lamina from the main body of the container.

On the other hand, supporting cones are also known, where the cone is understood to be paper, cardboard or wafer rolled into a conical shape and used to wrap sweets, nuts, etc., or to serve ice cream. Cones are already used for container sausages and fries, in cases when they are given to customers for immediate consumption.

However, when a container or food packaging is opened, in the case when the product is to be eaten directly from the container, the container does not have the geometry, or the design to be supported and gripped with one hand while taking the food contained therein with the other hand.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to improve the design of food packaging so as to ergonomically allow the consumption of products contained therein, developing a packaging such as the one described below and whose essential character is expressed in the first claim.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is a packaging which has at least one lamina which is removable from the packaging and, moreover, wherein said lamina is convertible into a cone having a means of retention which ensures that the adopted shape is maintained.

The lamina is a deformable lamina, which may be of any material, preferably plastics and the like, and which also has a means of retention which ensures that the adopted cone shape is maintained.

The said means of retention may take a variety of forms, from adhesive means to mechanical means of retention by use of a flap and a tab engaged in a groove or slit constructed for this purpose.

The means of retention may be arranged in any part of the container, preferably on two adjacent sides, which will be the sides that come together when the cone is configured.

The lamina may have any shape, typically being rectangular, square, or even circular, which is the usual geometry of the sealing laminas for packaging and that which is most suitable to form a cone.

Thanks to the described features, a packaging for food products is obtained which has a deformable removable lamina, whereby a cone can be formed which has a means of retaining the adopted shape, allowing either the products contained in the packaging or products from elsewhere to be held therein, and which also facilitates consumption in a simple way, because the cone can be held with one hand while the food held therein can be taken with the other hand.

EXPLANATION OF FIGURES

To complement this description and in order to aid a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention according to a preferred practical embodiment thereof, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description, and wherein, in an illustrative and non-limiting character, the following is illustrated.

In FIG. 1, we see a perspective view of a package or container.

In FIG. 2, we see a possible lamina convertible to a cone.

In FIG. 3 we see another lamina with different means of retention from those shown in FIG. 2.

In FIG. 4, we see the cone-shaped configuration based on the lamina in FIG. 2.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the figures, a preferred embodiment of the proposed invention is described below.

In FIG. 1 we see a packaging (9), or container, sealed by means of a removable lamina (1). The packaging may be for food or it may be of a different nature. It has a lamina (1) removable from the rest of the packaging and permits access to the product held inside the packaging.

FIG. 2 shows a lamina (1) which is provided with means of retention to ensure the maintenance of the shape of a cone. In this embodiment, the means of retention are arranged on the adjacent sides (1.1) and (1.2) of the lamina (1), on one side emerging as a flap (3) which, at its juncture with the main surface of the lamina, has a groove or slit (4), into which a tab (5) emerging from the other adjacent side of the lamina (1) fits, the groove or slit (4) having a length and position so as to allow the tab (5) to fit inside.

In an alternative embodiment, it would be sufficient for a groove or slit to be placed on one of the adjacent sides, in the vicinity of its edge, while on the other adjacent side it would have a tab (5), and the flap (3) would not be required.

The lamina, as noted above, will be made of a deformable material, and in order to take the shape of a cone, it will be folded at the bisection of the angle formed by the adjacent sides which have means of retention, until the means of retention are coupled and restrained.

In FIG. 3, an alternative embodiment is shown in which instead of providing means based on fitting the tab into a groove or slit, adhering means (6) and (7) are used, which are arranged on two of the lamina's adjacent sides, near its edges with an equivalent length in both cases.

Finally, FIG. 4 shows the removable cone (8) formed from the lamina (1), corresponding to the lamina (1) shown in FIG. 2 which has means of retention based on the use of a tab and a groove or slit, both of which are within the container.

Now that the nature of the present invention has been sufficiently described, as well as how to implement it, note that its essence may be embodied in other ways that differ in detail from that indicated by way of example, and for which protection is also sought, as long as it does not alter, change or modify its fundamental principle. 

1-9. (canceled)
 10. A packaging for food convertible to a cone-shaped container, wherein the packaging has a sheet which is removable and deformable and which has complementary means of retention on two adjacent portions which ensure that the cone shape is maintained.
 11. The packaging, according to claim 10, wherein the complementary means of retention comprises on one adjacent side a groove or slit and on the other adjacent side a tab, the groove or slit having a length and position such as to allow engagement of the tab therein.
 12. The packaging, according to claim 11, wherein the complementary means of retention further comprise a groove or slit and a tab, a flap emerging from the surface of the sheet and in its juncture with the sheet has a groove or slit which has a groove, said groove having a length and position such as to allow engagement of the tab in its interior.
 13. The packaging, according to claim 10, wherein the complementary means of retention comprises adhering surfaces and arranged near the edges of the adjacent sides.
 14. The packaging, according to claim 10, wherein the material from which the sheet is made is plastic or similar material.
 15. The packaging, according to claim 10, wherein the shape of the sheet is rectangular or quadrangular.
 16. The packaging, according to claim 10, wherein the shape of the sheet is circular or similar.
 17. The packaging, according to claim 10, wherein the food is placed between the packaging and the sheet.
 18. The packaging, according to claim 10, wherein the packing is flat. 